We Hear: Porsche Cayenne Coupe to Fight BMW X6

Is there a BMW X6 Fighter in the works? Reports have suggested Porsche is planning on extending the Cayenne SUV lineup with a new version called the Cayenne Coupe, meaning the X6, the Range Rover Sport, and Mercedes-Benz's upcoming crossover coupe had better watch their backs.

The coupe-inspired SUV would serve as the sportier version of the Cayenne with a lower ride height and a lower center of gravity. Autocar also reports that it will be available with a range of gas, diesel, and hybrid powertrains. Like the Cayenne range, it will also include GTS, Turbo, and Diesel variants, and even perhaps a twin-turbo V-8 that makes more than 550 in a Turbo S model. The Cayenne coupe would utilize VW Group’s MLB platform, which also serves as the underpinnings for the Porsche Macan. This could mean the coupe will be offered with the same range of engines as the Macan such as the 340-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6, and the 400-hp 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6. Euro-spec Macans are also available with a 2.0-liter turbo-four that makes 233 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, however it's likely that engine won't make it to our shores. Other possible powertrains include a plug-in hybrid (with a gas engine) and a diesel hybrid option.

As to what the Cayenne Coupe may look like, we'd imagine it to be an evolution of the current Cayenne, with an "edgier" look similar to that of the new 918 Spyder. We also wouldn't be surprised to see the Cayenne Coupe sport a sleeker roofline, narrow greenhouse and sloping rear end with a shape similar to the BMW X6. We also expect the Cayenne Coupe's interior get several interior elements from the 918 Spyder.

Porsche has been interested in developing this type of vehicle for a while now, but has put the idea off for a couple reasons. Porsche's well aware that further expanding its SUV lineup could put a damper on the exclusivity of its sports cars including the 911, Cayman, and the Boxster. The German automaker has also been having problems with Cayenne production capacity at the Leipzig factory because of such high demand. In an effort to fix that problem, the automaker reportedly plans to invest money into the plant to increase production for the third-gen Cayenne scheduled for 2017.The Cayenne Coupe, which will likely have its chassis fine-tuned on the Nürburgring, is reportedly scheduled for a debut in 2018.

The Porsche Cayenne is the automaker's best-seller, and with plans to extend the Cayenne lineup with a coupe version, sales will only continue to get better. It's expected the Cayenne Coupe be more expensive than its four-door counterpart, meaning it would be priced north of the Cayenne's $50,595 base price.